two more for the day :)

[Haya.H]

How can I make these better? I was in very harsh light and I think that kinda shows? Are they too contrasty?

1.) is the framing too much?


2.) I think I prefer this one.


Just noticed how many questions I asked... woops

Thank you!

 

[SCraig]

The second is better because there are fewer shadows on her face. Using a fill flash in situations like that will help even things out a great deal.

 

[Haya.H]

Yeah I noticed that as well and thats why I changed the direction she was facing. Does one side of her face look blown out though, in the second?

 

[Ernicus]

Get yourself a diffuse, or make one. That would have helped a lot in pic 2.

 

[Haya.H]

Get yourself a diffuse, or make one. That would have helped a lot in pic 2.

Any suggestions on which to buy or what to make?

 

[SCraig]

Yeah I noticed that as well and thats why I changed the direction she was facing. Does one side of her face look blown out though, in the second?

No, but it's as close as it could be. Blown out is pure white (RGB 255,255,255), or absolutely no detail whatsoever. Looking at that one closely it is very close but there is still some detail there.

 

[Haya.H]

Yeah I noticed that as well and thats why I changed the direction she was facing. Does one side of her face look blown out though, in the second?

No, but it's as close as it could be. Blown out is pure white (RGB 255,255,255), or absolutely no detail whatsoever. Looking at that one closely it is very close but there is still some detail there.

I see.

Notes:
Look into a fill flash & light diffuser.

got it

 

[SCraig]

Any suggestions on which to buy or what to make?

You can get premade diffusers for speedlights or make one yourself from a couple of layers of translucent plastic (a piece cut from white plastic milk jug works well). Tissue paper works well to, just hold it on with a couple of rubber bands.

To diffuse sunlight a piece of muslin cloth works well, or a piece of white cardboard can be used to reflect light into the shadowed areas.

 

[Haya.H]

Any suggestions on which to buy or what to make?

You can get premade diffusers for speedlights or make one yourself from a couple of layers of translucent plastic (a piece cut from white plastic milk jug works well). Tissue paper works well to, just hold it on with a couple of rubber bands.

To diffuse sunlight a piece of muslin cloth works well, or a piece of white cardboard can be used to reflect light into the shadowed areas.

thank you! that was very helpful. I'll test them out tomorrow (its 3a.m. here).

 

[jed_rollins]

I would also ask (for #2 especially) why focal length you were at. #2 looks a little wide for me. I usually don't shoot portraits with anything less than 70mm (unless I know that I'm going for the wide, more distorted effect) the reason is simply, regardless of actual body shape, a wide angle (anything wider than 70mm usually) is not flattering to their shape! Good start, and listen to the others on lighting (that was my sexy wink attempt)
Cheers,
Jed

 

[Haya.H]

I would also ask (for #2 especially) why focal length you were at. #2 looks a little wide for me. I usually don't shoot portraits with anything less than 70mm (unless I know that I'm going for the wide, more distorted effect) the reason is simply, regardless of actual body shape, a wide angle (anything wider than 70mm usually) is not flattering to their shape! Good start, and listen to the others on lighting (that was my sexy wink attempt)
Cheers,
Jed

I was using my 50mm f/1.8. It's all I use for portraits since its that or the 18-55 kit lens. Taking in what everyone, I will be reshooting today

 

[kundalini]

I believe SCraig was referring to diffusing your light source (Fill light), but I think you could benefit from a diffuser for the subject also, especially for something like #2. You can find el cheapo kits and in the beginning should serve your needs well enough. They will come with two covers of various colors and the fifth of the 5-n-1 is the diffuser. Place the diffuser between the sun (Main light) and your subject to cut down on the hash light. Not only does it soften the light, but will aid in getting your subject to stop squinting.

For example, this shot was intentionally over exposed for this test with bright mid-morning light:

Keeping the same camera settings, add a one stop diffuser:

Again with same camera settings and the diffuser in place, add some Fill light with a hotshoe mounted flash:

As you can see, with some simple manipulation of light, you have three totally different exposures with the same camera settings.

 

[jed_rollins]

I would also ask (for #2 especially) why focal length you were at. #2 looks a little wide for me. I usually don't shoot portraits with anything less than 70mm (unless I know that I'm going for the wide, more distorted effect) the reason is simply, regardless of actual body shape, a wide angle (anything wider than 70mm usually) is not flattering to their shape! Good start, and listen to the others on lighting (that was my sexy wink attempt)
Cheers,
Jed

I was using my 50mm f/1.8. It's all I use for portraits since its that or the 18-55 kit lens. Taking in what everyone, I will be reshooting today

On a crop sensor (any Rebel, 60D, 7D) a 50 is usually alright! Just a thought!